Contents

List of boxesList of tablesLeaders of the two main parties in Britain since 1945US presidents since 1945Votes and seats in British general elections since 19451. The Setting of British Politics: British Society and the British PeopleIntroductionThe historical backgroundBritish society and the British way of lifeImmigration and religion: their impactUnderlying British ideas and values2. The Constitution

PART A THE CONSTITUTIONIntroductionThe growth of interest in constitutional revisionThe characteristics of constitutionsThe constitution of the United KingdomThe Blair government and the ConstitutionPART B, THE PROTECTION OF RIGHTS IN BRITAINIntroductionThe protection of rights in BritainThe case of South AfricaThe case of the USA3. The LegislatureIntroductionWhat is the legislature?The structure of legislaturesThe British House of LordsThe main functions of the House of CommonsThe House as a watchdog over governmentElected representatives: the duties and responsibilities of British MPsParliamentary reform in recent yearsThe social composition of elected legislatorsThe pay and conditions of legislatorsThe case of DenmarkThe case of the USA4. The ExecutiveIntroductionThe Executive in parliamentary and presidential systems of governmentThe distribution of power within political executives: the trend towards first ministerial dominanceThe British CabinetThe role of Prime MinisterThe debate about prime ministerial powerConstraints on the British Prime MinisterA presidential prime minister?British ministers and their civil servantsThe conventions of Ministerial ResponsibilityThe case of Holland

The case of the USA5. The JudiciaryIntroductionJudicial independenceJudicial neutralityThe growing importance of judicial reviewThe developing trend towards judicial activismThe politicisation of British judges: growing judicial powerThe case of the European Court on Human

About the Author

Duncan Watts has wide experience of teaching and examining, both in Modern History and Government and Politics. Formerly a Head of Department in both Grammar and Comprehensive schools, and Editor of the Politics Association Resource Centre, he is now involved in some part-time tutoring at 'A' Level, but much of his time is spent in writing on aspects of modern political development. Among several other publications, he has written widely on citizenship, political communication, the European Union and American government and politics, as well as producing an extensive range of teaching materials. He is the series editor of Politics Study Guides (EUP).